Family of murdered Mass. jogger speaks out for first time, makes plea for information

The family of a jogger who was found dead in the woods west of Boston spoke out for the first time Wednesday after her murder, and made a new plea for information.

Rossana and John Marcotte, the parents of Vanessa Marcotte, were joined by Steven and Diega Therrien, Vanessa's aunt and uncle, in front of First Congregational Church in Princeton, Mass., Fox 25 Boston reported.

Marcotte was attacked and killed in a wooded area off Brooks Station Road in Princeton on Aug. 7 when she went for a run. The New York City resident grew up in Leominster, Mass., and was visiting her mother for the weekend.

Steven Therrien spoke on behalf of the family, saying that Vanessa had done much in 27 years but still had much more to do.

"Not a day goes by that we don't reflect on the enormity of our loss," Therrien told reporters.

He said that Vanessa embraced the spirit of volunteerism, and her family has set up a website in her honor, VanessaMarcotte.org, in addition to a foundation, the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation, to support those causes.

"So that you can learn more about Vanessa and the cause that were close to her heart," Therrien said.

The family urged anyone with information to contact State Police, and also thanked the community for their support.

“As Massachusetts State Police and Princeton police continue to investigate Vanessa’s murder, we urge anyone with information to call the state police hot line at 508-453-7589," Therrien said.

He also said the family will "share developments in the investigation as we learn them" through the new website.

"Any future comments from our family will also be posted on the website," he added.

There have been no arrests or named suspects in Marcotte's murder, but police have said more than 1,000 tips have poured in about the case.